Two of the most proficient pugilists in professional boxing will finally get the chance to meet in the ring. After years of accusing each other of evasion, Sugar Shane Mosley and Floyd Mayweather are negotiating a fight that could take place before summer 2010.
Mosley (46–5, 39 KOs) and Mayweather (40–0, 25 KOs) entered negotiations after both of their scheduled fights were cancelled. Mayweather’s highly anticipated bout with Manny Pacquiao was called off after the two sides could not agree on how each fighter would be tested for drugs. Mosley’s fight with Andre Berto on Jan. 30 was cancelled because of Berto’s grief over the death of eight family members who were killed during the earthquake in Haiti.
Mosley and Mayweather’s showdown would add sizzle to a sport that’s yearning for a big event. Fans were roused in September 2009 when the fighters exchanged words and almost came to blows after Mosley interrupted Mayweather’s post-fight interview following his victory over Juan Manuel Marquez.
“Mayweather really doesn’t want to fight me,” Mosley told rolling out sports in a recent interview. “He hasn’t lost yet, so he wants to protect that undefeated record. Why would he fight a guy that could possibly beat him? I tell all of them that I’m the king of the welterweight division. So if you don’t want to fight me, move out of my way because this is my division. –amir shaw
